Bold statement first: a transformative gift is reshaping UW–Madison’s public affairs landscape, with a clear message about lasting civic support. And this is the part most people miss: the impact isn’t just financial—it signals a future home and evolving opportunities for students and scholars alike.
Herb Kohl Philanthropies has pledged a $30 million lead gift to continue the late Senator Kohl’s enduring support for UW–Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs. This sizable donation will fund both programmatic work and renovations, culminating in the university’s Music Hall becoming the La Follette School’s new home under the renamed Herb Kohl Hall. The revamped venue is slated to welcome guests in 2029.
This initiative comes as La Follette undergoes rapid growth. Beginning in fall 2026, the school will launch an undergraduate major anticipated to enroll as many as 400 students within five years, a figure expected to place the program in the top decile of all campus majors by enrollment.
UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin commented that renaming the historic Music Hall to Herb Kohl Hall stands as a lasting tribute to Sen. Kohl’s lifetime backing of the university, his dedication to public service, and an ethos of civility in public discourse and policymaking.
The name change received formal approval from the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on February 6.
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